Case loading machine

ABSTRACT

A case loading machine for loading a predetermined plurality of articles of substantially uniform size and shape into a generally rectangular case forming therein a predetermined pattern of uniform rows of the articles in side-by-side relation. Means are provided for receiving a file of articles along a first path of travel upon a platform and forming on a predetermined area thereof successive uniform rows of articles. Pushing means are provided to laterally move a row on the platform from the area where formed to fill a case indexed with the platform in a case loading position. The pushing means comprises an articulated reciprocating pusher including means for permitting infeed onto the predetermined area of the platform to form another row as soon as it has wholly removed the preceding row therefrom. The pushing means may also include a short stroke pusher which is independently operable from the articulated reciprocating pusher, the two pushers being configured and disposed for laterally forwarding rows along the same path. When used in combination, the two pushers are also configured to permit some degree of simultaneous operation. The two pushers can be operated so that operation of the short stroke pusher results in the formation of a column of a predetermined number of rows in side-by-side relation, and operation of the articulated reciprocating pusher forwards the column a predetermined distance to move an array of rows as a unit into a case. Productivity of the case loading machine is enhanced by permitting infeed during a portion of each cycle of the articulated reciprocating pusher, and by operating the two pushers simultaneously.

United States Patent [151 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Spruill Attmey-Richard C. Witte et a].

[ 7] ABSTRACT Sutphin Dec. 4, 1973 CASE LOADING MACHINE vided for receiving a file of articles along a first path Inventor: Richard A. Sutphin, Cincinnati, travel upon a Platform i forming on a predetef Ohio mined area thereof successive uniform rows of artli cles. Pushing means are provided to laterally move a Assigneel The Pmctel' & Gamble C pa y, row on the platform from the area where formed to fill ,CinCiImati, Ohio a case indexed with the platform in a case loading po- [22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1972 sition. The pushing means comprises an articulated ret ciprocating pusher including means for permitting in- PP Q- 3 feed onto the predetermined area of the platform to form another row as soon as it has wholly removed the [52] US. Cl..; 53/164 preceding row therefrom The pushing means may 51 Int. Cl B65b 5/06, B65b 35/40 include a Pusher Whid is 58 Field of Search 53/61, 62, 159, 163, denfly Perable the articulated redpPcatmg 53/164 pusher, the two pushers being configured and disposed for laterally forwarding rows along the same path.

. [56] Refere ce Cited Whet n usedd in combination, tldie two ptfish ers lare also coni ure to ermit some e ree o SlmLl taneous UNITED STATES PATENTS opera tion. The two pushers can be operated so that Kerr X peration of the hort stroke pusher results in the for gz giz f 53/62 mation of a column of a predetermined number of rows in side-by-side relation, and operation of the articulated reciprocating pusher forwards the column a predetermined distance to move an array of rows as a unit into a case. Productivity of the case loading machine is enhanced by permitting infeed during a portion of each cycle of the articulated reciprocating pusher, and by operating the two pushers simultaneously.

IIIIVIIIII!lllllllllllllllll Mllllltll'lilill PATENTED DEC 4 I975 sum 3 OF 4 1 CASE LOADING MACHINE FIELD OF THE INVENTION b This invention relates generally to machines for loading a predetermined number of articles of substantially uniform size and shape (such as rectangular parallelopipedel cartons of detergent granules) into generally rectangular cases so that the articles are arranged in a predetermined pattern within the receiving case. For instance, apparatus for packaging granular detergents into cartons normally operate continuously so that output from the apparatus is a tile of filled, closed, and sealed cartons which are conveyed directly to case loading equipment. I

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Case loading equipment can perhaps be generalized into two broad categories; one category being equipment which moves an article or row of articles at a time into an awaiting case; and, the second category being equipment which moves a predetermined plurality of uniform rows of articles as a unit into an awaiting case. An example of the latter equipment is the category of equipment which assembles case-load groupings of articles outside a case and then transfers the entire caseload grouping as a unit into an awaiting case.

Case loading machines must necessarily be compatible with article infeed equipment and case changing equipment. Generally, case loading machines which load more than an article or a row of articles at a time into an awaiting case have been devised in order to provide longer time intervals during which case changing equipment can remove a full case and properly index an empty case in loading position relative to the case loading machine. This time interval is hereby desig nated the case indexing interval.

An example of a case loading machineof the categorywhich assembles a case-load grouping outside a case and then moves the entire case-load grouping as a unitinto an awaiting case is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,339 issued June 21, 1960 to M. Salwasser. The Salwasser machine comprises: a vertically operable elevator l l, uponwhich a file of articles can be received along a first path of travel and formed into successive uniform rows of articles, and then be elevated a row at a time along a second path of travel to become tiers in a stack of rows; and a side ram 12 which is operated through successive short strokes to move successive stacks of rows along a horizontal, third path of travel until a case-load grouping of stacks is accumulated. Then the side ram makes a long stroke to move the case-load grouping as a unit along the third path of travel into an awaiting case. Although infeed onto the elevator platform can occur during the operation of the y side ram, the machine is inherently precluded by its geometry from operation of the elevator platform to form a stack of rows during the operation of the side ram. Also, infeed onto the elevator platform is precluded by it whenever it is displaced upwardly from its infeed receiving position. e

Other examples of prior art case loading machines of the category which assemble case-load groupings of articles outside a case and then move the entire grouping as a unit into an awaiting case are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,396,505 issued Aug. 13, 1968 to E. McCrudden, U.S. Pat. No. 3,082,584 issued Mar. 26, 1963 to UJ. Schmid, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,613,021 issued Oct. 7,

2 1952 to L.H. Bowes. Whereas the machines of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,396,505 (McCrudden) and 3,082,585 (Schmid) comprise two pushers in the general manner of the hereinabove described machine of U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,339 (Salwasser), and the machine of U.S. Pat. No. 2,613,021 (Bowes) uses only a single pusher, they are each inherently precluded by their respective geometries from forming new side-by-side rows of articles during their case loading strokes. That is, each is limited to alternately, as opposed to simultaneously, forming an array comprising a predetermined plurality of side-by-side rows, and then moving the array as a unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The nature and substance of. the invention will be more readily appreciated after giving consideration to its major aims and purposes. The principal objects of the invention are recited in the ensuing paragraphs in order to provide a better appreciation of its important aspects prior to describing the details of a preferred embodiment in later portions of this description.

A major object of the present invention is the provision of a case loading machine having pushing means which permits infeed during a portion of the operating cycle of the pushing means.

Another major object of the present invention is the provision of a case loading machine wherein successive new rows of articles can be accumulated in side-by-side relation while a predetermined plurality of preceding side-byside rows isbeing advanced as a unit a predetermined distance and while the means for advancing the predetermined plurality of side-by-side rows is being returned to its original position.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a case loading machine as described in the preceding paragraph wherein a row pushing means is provided for wholly displacing a row of articles from the area where formed along a path of travel so that the displaced row is side'byside with the next row formed,

and wherein the means for displacing the predetermined plurality of side-by-side rows is an array pushing means which. advances them along the same path of travel as established by the row pushing means.

Still another object of the invention is a case loading machine as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the predetermined plurality of side-by-side rows comprises an array having a predetermined number of rows, and wherein the predetermined distance is the distance required to forward an array as a unit into a case held in a loading position relative to the case packing machine.

Yet still another object of the invention is a case loading machine as described in the preceding paragraph wherein'an array consists of the number of side by-side rows required to wholly fill the case.

These and other objects are achieved by providing a case loading machine comprising a platform, means for receiving an incoming file of articles onto the platform and forming a row consisting of a predetermined plurality of articles in abutting relation on a predetermined area of the platform, row pushing means for wholly displacing a row laterally on the platform from the prede-. termined area whereby a column of side-by-side rows comprising an array consisting of a predetermined number of rows in side-by-side relation can be formed on the platform, and array pushing means for advancing said column a predetermined distance whereby an array can be inserted as a unit into a case that is disposed and held in a loading position relative to the platform. The array pushing means includes means for being repositioned to advance another array without obstructing or otherwise interfering with any intervening articles onv the platform. The row pushing means and the array pushing means are configured to be operated simultaneously without interfering with each other. And, the array pushing means is configured to not block article infeed to the predetermined area of the platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a preferred case loading machine embodying the instant invention'which machine includes two colinearly acting pushers having overlapping strokes.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the case loading machine of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-6 are fragmentary front elevational views of the preferred embodiment case loading machine of FIG. 1 which figures depict a case loading sequence of the machine.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for the preferred embodiment case loading machien of FIG. 1 being operated to load a two-row array as a unit into a case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention, case loading machine is shown to include platform 21, row pusher 22, and array pusher 23. Case loading machine 20 is shown in FIG. 1 in conjunction with infeed means 24, and a generally rectangular parallelopipedal case indexed and held in a loading position relative to platform 21.

Platform 21, FIG. 1,-comprises bars 'and plates 31a, 31b and 310 which are secured to and supported by sills 32, FIG. 2, and beam 33 of frame structure 26 so that all of the upwardly facing surfaces of bars 30 and plates 31a through 310 are in a common, generally horizontally extending plane. Bars 30 and plates 31a-31c are configured and disposed to provide transverse slot 34, jaw clearance slot 35, and a plurality of spillage passage slots 36, the functions of which will be further described hereinafter. In the preferred embodiment case loading machine 20, the combination comprising transverse slot 34 and jaw clearance slot 35 provide means for enabling lower jaw 76 to be disposed above platform 21 during a portion of each cycle of array pusher 23, and to be disposed below platform 21 during another portion of each cycle of array pusher 23.

Platform 21 further comprises guides such as side guide 37, FIGS. 2 and 3, and funnel memebers such as shoe 38, FIG. 3, most ofwhich are omitted from the figures to more clearly show the pertinent details of case loading machine 20. Such guides and funnel members are provided for the purpose of guiding an incoming file of articles such as cartons 41 along a first path of travel 42, FIG. 1, from infeed means 24 to form a row 43 consisting of a predetermined plurality (five in the figures) of abutting cartons 41 (the first being identified in FIG. 1 as carton 41c) on a predetermined area of platform 21 and for guiding successive rows 43 laterally in side-by-side relation as pushers 22, 23 progressively move them along a second path of travel 44 to fill successive cases 25. The second path of travel 44 is generally perpendicular relative to the first path of travel 42. The predetermined area of platform 21 is hereby designated row position V.

Case 25, as shown in FIG. 1 in conjunction with preferred embodiment case packing machine 20 is a rectangular parallelopiped having closure forming flaps 48. Case 25 is configured to receive an array consisting of, in this example, two rows 43 of cartons 41 in side-byside relation. The two row positions within case 25, FIG. 4, are designated R and S as indicated.

Case feeding, indexing, and holding means for use in conjunction with the operation of case loading machine 20 is not shown in the figures because 'a variety of such equipment is well known to those skilled in the art and because the geometry thereof is not believed to be critical to the present invention. Therefore, for the purposes of describing the present invention, the presence of means for feeding empty cases 25 to case loading machine 20, serially indexing and holding each case in the loading position generally indicated in FIGS. 1-5, and removing filled cases will be understood.

Infeed means 24, FIG. 1, is ancillary to case loading machine 20. It comprises, in this instance, endless conveyor belt 51 having an upper run upon which a file 40 of cargons 41 are forwarded to the case loading machine 20 from, for instance, a carton loading machine. Cartons 41, generally having rectangular parallelopipedal bodies, are commonly forwarded by such infeed means as belt 51 in spaced relation as indicated in FIG. 1 until sufficient resistance to being forwarded is encountered to stop them whereupon the belt slides under such stopped cartons. Thus, belt 51 imparts thrust on cartons 41 which is sufficient to forward cartons 41 onto and across platform 21 until a line of abutting cartons 41 extends across platform 21 and abuts side guide 37, FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, such line forming action can accumulate a row 43 of cartons 41 on platform 21 in row position V and another row 43 in row position W which is in end-to-end abutting relation to the row 43 disposed in row position V.

When operated in the foregoing manner, belt 51 will advance an entire row 43 as a unit from row position W to row position V upon removal of the preceding row from row position V providing neither pusher 22 or 23, nor other means block such advance. Thus, the infeed interval which is hereby defined as the time required to infeed a row 43 onto platform 21 to row position V, is only the time required to advance belt 51 approximately the length of a row 43 of cartons 41.. Were another row 43 not pre-formed in row position W, the infeed interval would be greater by the amount of time required to close the spacing intermediate adjacent cartons 41 in the advancing file 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, row pusher 22 (alternatively designated short stroke pusher) of the pre ferred embodiment case loading machine 20 comprises an L-shape member 55 and an actuator 56 which is used to reciprocate L-shape member 55 transverse platform 21 between a first position, FIG. 5, and a second position, FIG. 6. Briefly stated, the function of row pusher 22 is to move a row 43 of cartons 41 from row position V,"FIG. 5, to row position U, FIG. 6, so that tuator 56 for transverse reciprocation thereby. Face plate portion 57 of L-shape member 55 has a height which is less than the height of cartons 41 and its width is approximately the length of a row of cartons so that its planar frontal surface 59, FIG. 3, can, when properly disposed as indicated in the figures, simultaneously act on a central portion of the adjacent surface 60 of each carton 41 in a row 43 of cartons disposed at row position V, FIG. 5, to move the row 43 transverse platform 21 as a unit to row position U, FIG. 6. By being configured to only act on a central portion of the adjacent surface 611 of each carton 41, other portions of such adjacent surfaces 66 which are contiguous to the top and bottom of each carton 41 are available to be acted on by the array pusher 23 as will be presently described. Side plate 56 of L-shape member 55 is adapted to block infeed of cartons 41 to row position V during the periods when face plate 57 would otherwise interdict or interfere with such infeed as is indicated in FIG. 6.

Actuator 56, FIGS. 2 and 3, preferably pneumatic, has a stroke length at least equal to the width of a row 43 for operating the L-shape member 55 between a first position (retracted) and a second position (extended). In the preferred embodiment case loading ma chine 211, the body 62 of actuator 56, FIG. 2, is secured to plate 63 which is secured to the frame structure 26 of case loading machine by other structural elements not shown in the Figures. The distal end of the actuator rod 64 of actuator 56 is secured to face plate 57 so that when actuator rod 64 is retracted, FIG. 3, surface 59 of face plate portion 57 is spaced from the left edge 65 of row position V a distance 66 so thatit will not block infeed onto platform 21. Therefore, when actuator rod 64 is retracted, the infeed means 24 can cause a row 43 to be formed at row position V. However, spacing distance 66 is preferably small in order to minimize the total length of stroke required of actuator 56 and to minimize the damage that might otherwise occur to cartons 41 if the actuator 56 had the opportunity to accelerate the L-shape member 55 to a high velocity before contacting surfaces 60 of cartons 41 in row position V. When extended, FIG. 6, actuator rod 64 causes the L-shape member 55 to push the row 43 of cartons 41 transverse platform 21 from row position V, FIG. 5, to a predetermined second area on platform 21 which is hereby designated row position U. Row position U is also spaced from row position V to insure a clear path for the infeed means 24 to cause another row 43 of cartons 41 to form at row position V after row pusher 22 has been retracted. The lateral distance between row position U and V is designated distance 67, FIG. 6. As hereinbefore noted with respect to distance 66, distance 67 is preferably small to minimize the stroke length of actuator rod 64 required to wholly clear row position V, and to substantially preclude damage from bumping side-by-side rows of cartons 41 intoeach other at high velocity.

.Side plate 58 of L-shape member 55 is shwon, FIG. 6, blocking infeed of carton 41a and the following cartons (from row position W) onto platform 21 while actuator rod 64 is extended. Thus, infeed to row position V on platform 21 is interrupted by L-shape member 55 from virtually the time extension of actuator rod 64 is begun until retraction thereof is substantially completed. The sequential relationship of infeed and the operation of row pusher 22 is graphically illustrated in the timing chart, FIG. 7, which chart will be described in greater detail as the operation of case loading machine 20 is described.

The array pusher 23, FIG. 1, is an articulated reciprocating unit which is alternatively designated as a fourstroke pusher. As shown in FIG. 1, it includes an articulated C-shape assemblage comprising carriage 70, ways 71, 72, arms 73, 74, follower lever 97, push lever 102, push link 1115, and a clevis 78 secured to the lower edge of the distal portion of lower arm 74. The array pusher 23 further comprises, FIG. 3, additional means 91 for reciprocating carriage and its assemblage on ways 71, 72 to laterally move jaws 75, 76 between one position, FIG. 3, and another positions, FIG. 4, and for operating jaws 75, 76 between a row pushing position, FIG. 4, and a row passing position, FIG. 5. Additional means 91 includes carriage-translation actuator 79 and jaw spacing actuator 82.

Briefly stated, a cycle of array pusher 23 synchronously moves jaws 75, 76 in opposite directions around substantially identicahnearly rectangular paths by: extending actuator 79, FIG. 3 to FIG. 4; retracting actuator 82, FIG. 4 to FIG. 5; retracting actuator 79, FIG. 5 to FIG. 6; and extending actuator82, FIG. 6 to FIG. 3. Assuming the presence of rows 43 at row positions T, U, and V and anempty case 25 as indicated in FIG. 3 at the beginning of the aforesaid cycle of array pusher 23, the column of three rows is forwarded rightwardly to move the three rows as a unit from row positions T, U, V to R, S, T respectively upon extending actuator 79. Then jaws 75, 76 are simultaneously spaced apart, FIG. 5, to position upper jaw 75 wholly-above the highest reach of cartons 41 on platform 21 and to position lower jaw 76 wholly below platform 21 so that actuator 79 can return carriage '76 leftwardly without jaws 75, 76 interfering with infeed or any carton 41 on platform 21.. The spacing and lengths of arms 73, 74 preclude array pusher 23 from blocking infeed onto platform 21 regardless of its position. Thus, infeed can occur onto row position V during the operation of array pusher 23 after row position V has been cleared by the operation of array pusher 23.

Carriage 711, FIG. 1, comprises horizontal portion 84, bearing assemblies 85, 86 secured in parallel relation to the ends of horizontal portion 84, bifurcated vertical portion 87 secured to horizontal portion 84 so that its closed portion 68 is at the left while its upper distal end 69 and lower distal end 911 are at theright and are spaced vertically apart.

Ways 71, 72, FIG. 1, are parallel to each other, to the upwardly facing surface of platform 21, and to transverse slot 34 in platform 21. Ways 71, 72 are sized and spaced to have carriage 70 mounted thereon so that it can be laterally reciprocated relative to platform 21 but always wholly disposed leftwardly from the left side of platform 21.

Upper arm 73 is pivotally secured to the upper distal end 89 of carriage '70 to permit swinging the distal end of arm73 and jaw 75 attached theretoup and down; The lower arm 74 is similarly pivotally secured to the lower distal end 90 of carriage '71) to permit swinging lower jaw 76 up and down. Motion of the two arms is interlocked through follower lever 97 which is rigidly associated with upper arm 73, push lever 102 which is rigidly associated with lower arm 74, and push link 105 which is pivotally connected between the distal ends of follower lever 97 and push lever 102 by pins 106, 107, respectively. Thus, pivoting lower arm 74 by acting vertically on clevis 78 to raise or lower lower jaw 76 causes upper jaw 75 to be lowered or raised, respectively.

Clevis 78 FIG. 1, is rigidly secured to the lower edge of lower arm 74 near its upwardly extending distal portion, the upwardly extending distal portion being provided to extend through transverse slot 34 in platform 21 to hold lower jaw '76 above platform 21 as carriagetranslation actuator 79 is extended as hereinbefore described.

Carriage-translation actuator 79, FIG. 3, is preferably pneumatic and comprises body 110 and actuator rod 80 having its distal end pivotally connected to clevis 78 by pin 83. Actuator 79 is mounted so that body 1141 is the top member of a jointed parallelogram the height of which is controlled by jaw spacing actuator 82. Struts 81 having one end of each pivotally attached to body 110 and their other ends pivotally attached to trunnion blocks 111 form the upwardly extending sides of the jointed parallelogram, and the portion of plate 112 (which is part of frame structure 26) intermediate trunnion blocks 111 forms the bottom member of the jointed parallelogram.

The jointed parallelogram carriage mounting of actuator 79 is so disposed that actuator rod 80 is always parallel to ways 71, 72 so that neither extension nor retraction of actuator rod 80 affects the spacing intermediate jaws 75, 76. Rather, the effect of operating actuator 79 is limited to laterally reciprocating carriage 70 and its C-shape assemblage on ways '71, 72.

Jaw spacing actuator 82, FIG. 3, preferably pneumatic, provides an extensible link intermediate frame structure 26 and body 1110 of actuator 79 by having its body 113 pivotally secured to trunnion block 114 which is rigidly secured to plate 112 of frame structure 26, and by having the distal end of its actuator rod 115 pivotally pinned to the left end of body 110 of actuator 79. Thus, operation of jaw spacing actuator 82 can act through actuator 79 and clevis 78 to operate jaws 75, 76 between their row pushing position, FIG. 4, actuator rod 115 extended, and their row passing position, FIG. 5, actuator rod 115 retracted.

An advantage of the above described linkage and actuator means for operating jaws 75, 76 around relatively long rectangular paths is that both actuator bodies 110, 113 are relatively stationary. Hence, the actuator service lines, which are not shown in the figures in order to promote clarity of the figures, are not subjected to the severe beating they would experience if they had to follow the paths of jaws 75, '76.

The constituent members of array pusher 23 are configured so that when assembled, FIG. 3, with the actuator rod 115 of jaw spacing actuator 82 extended, jaws 75, 76 are disposed adjacent the portions of the side surfaces 60 of cartons 41 in row position V near their upper and lower edges, respectively. Thus, when positioned as shown in FIG. 3, jaws 75, 76 are disposed to act on the contiguous areas of side surfaces 60 of cartons 41 in row position V. In this position, lower jaw 76 is at an elevation above the upwardly facing surface of platform 21 and lower arm 74 is aligned with transverse row pusher 22 are configured and disposed so that:

each can be operated throughout its whole range of motion without obstructing the other; so that arms 73, 74 never obstruct infeed onto platform 21; and so that when jaws 75, 76 are in their row passing position, FIGS. 5 and 6, the array pusher 23 canbe retracted without interfering with any intervening cartons 41.

Operation of array pusher 23 is cyclical, each cycle essentially comprising four strokes which are hereby denominated extension or row pushing (FIG. 3 to FIG. 4), opening or row disengaging (FIG. 4 to FIG. 5), retraction or return (FIG. 5 to FIG. 6), and closing or reset (FIG. 6 to FIG. 3). The four stroke cycle of array pusher 23 can best be described by assuming both pushers to be positioned as depicted in FIGS. 2, 3 and also assuming the presence of a column of rows 43 of cartons 41 in row positions T (alternately referred to as the dead row), U, and V, and further assuming the presence of an empty tworow case 25 disposed at the loading position with respect to platform 21.

As the array pusher 23 is extended with its jaws 75, 76 in their array engaging position, the column of rows 43 is moved rightwardly until an array consisting of the first two rows of the column are moved from row positions T and U to row positions designated R, and S, respectively, in case 25, and the last row of the three row column is moved from row position V to become a new dead row at row position T. During this extension stroke, lower jaw 76 is supported above platform 21 by the upwardly curved distal portion of lower arm 74 which extends through transverse slot 34 in platform 21.

Upon completion of the extension stroke of array pusher 23, F IG. 4, retraction of the actuator rod 115 of jaw spacing actuator 82 lowers the extended array pusher actuator 79 causing lower jaw 76 to pass downwardly through jaw clearance slot 35 of platform 21, and causing upper jaw to move upwardly to an elevation where it is wholly above the uppermost reach of cartons 41 on platform 21. Thus the. jaws are positioned, FIG. 5, at a row passing position where jaws 75, 76 are vertically spaced far enough to clear any cartons 41 or rows 43 of cartons 41 on platform 21 during the retraction stroke of array pusher 23.

Upon completion of the retraction stroke of array pusher 23, FIG. 6, the jaws are disposed so that they can be closed to their array engaging position by extending actuator rod 1 15 of jaw spacing actuator 82 to the position shown in FIG. 3.

Thus during a four stroke cycle of array pusher 23, the three-row column of rows 43 of cartons 41 is laterally moved rightwardly transverse platform 21 along the second path of travel 44 to move a two-row array of cartons 43 as a unit into an awaiting case 25 whereby a two-row case is completely filled by a single pusher stroke.

Referring back to the extension stroke of array pusher 23, the transition from FIG. 3 to FIG. 4, as soon as row position V is wholly cleared, infeed begins to form a new row 43 of cartons 41 (carton 41d being the lead carton) at row position V. Upon completion of the new row at row position V, row pusher 22 is extended to transfer the new row to row position U, FIG. 6. Upon completion of the retraction of row pusher 22, infeed again begins to form yet another new row of cartons (lead carton 41e) at row position V. Thus, as indicated successively formed. at position V and disposed at row positions U and V during a cycle of the array pusher 23. This forms a new three-row column that can then be acted on by operating array pusher 23 through another cycle.

Such simultaneous operation of two colinearlyacting pushers under the control of suitable control means significantly reduces the case loading interval of the preferred embodiment case loading machine as compared to prior art case loading machines of the category for loading a two-row array as a unit into a case.

Although the preferred embodiment case loading machine MD has been described in conjunction with loading a two-row array (two side-by-side rows) as a unit into a two row case 25, its combination of two colinearly operable pushers which can be operated with overlapping cycles has more general application.

One alternate application of the preferred embodiment case loading machine 20 is to operate it with suitable control means to load three-row cases by using row pusher 22 to displace two successive rows of cartons from row position V so that a four-row column is completed by yet another row formed at row position V. Then, operation of array pusher 23 moves the column rightwardly'until the last formed row 43 is transferred from row position V to row position T, FIG. 4,

whereby the loading of the other three rows of the column into the case is completed. Referring to F IGS. 3, 4 and 6, the magnitude of the inter-row spacing, distances 67, 66, the distances between row positions T and U, and U and V, respectively, determines how far movement of the second successive row by row pusher 22 would displace the dead row from row position T towards row position S. Indeed, if the inter-row spacing were minimized, the dead row would move nearly to row position S when row pusher 22 displaced the second successive row from row position V to row position U- Another alternate application of the preferred embodiment case loading machine is to operate it with suitable control means to load four-row cases by operating pushers 22, 23 as when loading two-row cases. Yet another alternate mode of operating pushers 22, 23 to load four-row cases is to operate row pusher 22 three strokes for each stroke of array pusher 23. Of course, the foregoing descriptions of operating the preferred embodiment case loading machine 20 makes the use thereof obvious for loading an n-row case in such a manner that array pusher 23 completes the loading of each case 25 so that the case indexing interval is always equal to or greater than the case indexing interval experienced with two-row cases as described hereinbefore and as indicated in FIG. 7.

A family of alternate embodiment case loading machines comprising the combination of two colinearly acting pushers, a row pusher and an array pusher, for loading n-row cases comprises an array pusher 23 and platform 21 which are sized so that a column of it plus one side-by-side rows is formed on platform 21 by operating row pusher 22, and then forwarding the column laterally to move an n-row array as a unit into a case by operating array pusher 23. Indeed, the preferred embodiment case loadingmachine 20 is the n-equals-two member of this family of case loading machines. A primary advantage the n-greater-than-two members of this family of case loading machines is providing longer case indexing intervals than available through the hereinbefore described alternate modes of operating the two-row-array preferred embodiment case loading machine 20.

Although preferred embodiment case loading machine 20 has been described as having both a row pusher and an articulated reciprocating array pusher, an identical machine except for having the row pusher omitted provides significant productivity improvement as compared to case loading machines of the types disclosed in the hereinbefore referenced patents which have only non-articulated reciprocating pushers, the productivity increase being derived from permitting infeed during a portion of thecycle of an articulated reciprocating pusher.

Many other modifications of the above invention may be devised and used and it is not intended to hereby limit it to the embodiments shown or described. The terms used in describing the invention are used in their descriptive sense and not as terms of limitation, it being intended that all of the equivalents thereof be included within the scope of the appended claims.

For instance, whereas the preferred embodiment case loading machine 20, alternate operating modes therefore, and alternate embodiments thereof have been described in conjunction with an array pusher which is adapted to have its jaws act directly on side surfaces of the cartons in row position V near the upper and lower edges of the cartons, such limitations are not considered limitations of the present invention. That is, the array pusher could act on other areas of cartons in row position V so long as its jaws and the face plate of the row pusher were configured to not interfere with each other. Also, although the preferred embodiment case loading machine 20 is very compact, due primarily to the geometry of array pusher 23, a case loading machine comprising an array pusherdisposed side-by-side or above the column of side-by-side rows which pusher has a pusher element configured to enter the space intermediate row positions U and V is within the scope of the present invention. And further, use of a dead row is not considered critical to the present invention.

What is claimed is:

i. A case loading machine comprising:

a. means for receiving a file of articles along a first path of travel and forming a row containing a fixed number of articles on a predetermined area thereof,

b. articulable pushing means operable between a retracted position and an extended position for pushing said row of articles a predetermined distance laterally along a second path of travel as said pushing means is extended to insert at least one row of articles into a case disposed in a case loading position, said pushing means comprising oppositely disposed upper and lower operating jaws,

0. means for articulating said pushing means to move each said jaws substantially vertically between a row pushing position and a row passing position independently from operating said pushing means laterally such that said pushing means does not obstruct the second path of travel while being rctracted laterally while said jaws are disposed at said row passing positions, and

d. means for returning said pushing means to its retracted position without interfering with forming another row of articles on said predetermined area.

2. A case loading machine comprising:

a. means for receiving a file of articles along a first path of travel and forming a row containing a fixed number of articles on a predetermined area thereof,

b. means for pushing said row of articles and at least one additional previously formed row of articles laterally along a second 'path of travel, said last mentioned means inserting at least two rows of articles into a case disposed in a case loading position,

c. means for articulating said pushing means such that it clears the second path of travel of said rows of articles, I

d. means for returning said pushing means to its original position without any interference to the continuous formation of a row of articles at said predetermined area, and

e. a short stroke pusher for removing at least one row of articles from said predetermined area during the cycle of said pushing means.

3.. A case loading machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pushing means comprises an upper operating jaw and a lower operating jaw for engaging and pushing a plurality of rows of articles, and said articulating means is operative for moving said operating jaws out of the path of movement of said rows of articles during the return of said jaws to their original position.

4. A case loading maching comprising:

a. means for receiving a file of articles along a first path of travel and forming a row containing a fixed number of articles on a predetermined area thereof,

b. means for pushing said row of articles and at least one additional previously formed row of articles laterally along a second path of travel, said pushing means inserting at least two rows of articles into a case disposed in a case loading position, said pushing means comprising a frame, an upper arm, a lower arm, an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said arms each having one end pivotally connected to said frame so that said arms extend generally horizontally and are movable so that the space intermediate their distal ends can be varied by pivoting said arms about their proximal ends, said upper jaw being secured to the distal end of said upper arm and said lower jaw being secured to the distal end of said lower arm for engaging and pushing a plurality of said rows of articles along said second path,

0. means for articulating said pushing means so that said arms and said jaws clear said second path of travel of said rows of articles, said articulating means comprising a follower lever extending downwardly from said upper arm, a push lever extending upwardly from said lower arm, a push link pivotally connected intermediate the distal ends of said levers, and means for raising and lowering said lower arm, and

d. means for returning said pushing means to its original position without any interference with the continuous formation of a row of articles at said predetermined area, said articulating means being operative for moving said jaws out of the path of movement of said rows of articles during the return of said jaws to their original position.

5. A case loading machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pushing means further comprises a frame and said articulating means comprises an upper arm and a lower arm, said arms each having a proximal end pivotally connected to said frame, said upper operating jaw being mounted on the distal end of said upper arm and said lower jaw being mounted on thedistal end of said lower arm, and said articulating means comprises a follower lever extending downwardly from the upper arm, a push lever extending upwardly from said lower arm, a push link pivoted to said levers and means for raising and lowering said lower arm.

6. An improved case loading machine having a frame structure, a platform mounted on said frame structure,

means for causing an advancing file of articles to form a row of a predetermined plurality of the articles in abutting relation on a predetermined area of the platform, and pushing means for forwarding the row laterally from the predetermined area towards a case held in loading position relative to the platform whereby successive said rows can be advanced columnarly in side-by-side relation to fill a succession of said cases, the improvement wherein the pushing means comprises a four-stroke pusher comprising row engaging means for simultaneously engaging each said article in the row disposed on said predetermined area, means for operating said row engaging means substantially vertically between a row pushing position and a row passing position, and

means for reciprocating said row engaging means laterally between one position and another position, said means for operating and said means for reciprocating being independently operable, whereby said four-stroke pusher can be operated through a cycle comprising the sequence of, a row pushing stroke to effect said forwarding of the row from said predetermined area as said row engaging means is moved laterally by said reciprocating means from said one position to said another position while said row engaging means are disposed at said row pushing position,

a row disengaging stroke to move said row engaging means from said row pushing position to said row passing position so that said row engaging means can be returned to said one position without said row engaging means interfering with said advancing file or any said article disposed on said platform, return stroke of said reciprocating means to laterally return said row engaging means to said one position, and

a reset stroke to operate said row engaging means to said row pushing position whereby said file of articles can begin advancing to form a successive row of said articles on said predetermined area during said cycle of said four-stroke pusher after forwarding the preceding row therefrom.

7. The improved case loading machine of claim 6 wherein said means for reciprocating said row engaging means laterally between said one position and said an other position comprises a way secured to said frame structure, said way extending parallel to the direction of said forwarding, a carriage mounted on said way for linear motion thereon, first linkage means intermediate said carriage and said row engaging means,

13* a means for reciprocating said carriage on said way, 7 and,

a said means for operating said row engaging means between said row pushing position and said row passing position comprises an actuator and second linkage means.

8. An improved case loading machine having a frame structure, a platform mounted on said frame structure, means for causing an advancing 'file of articles to form a row of a predetermined plurality of the articles in abutting relation on a predetermined area of the platform, and pushing means for forwarding the row laterally from the predetermined area towards a case held in loading position relative to the platform whereby successive said rows can be advanced columnarly in side-by-side relation to fill a succession of said cases, the improvement wherein said platform includes jaw and jaw support passage means, and said pushing means comprises a four-stroke pusher movable through a cycle comprising the sequence of a row pushing stroke, a row disengaging stroke, a return stroke and a reset stroke whereby said file of articles can begin advancing to form a successive row of said articles on said predetermined area during said cycle of said fourstroke pusher after the preceding row is forwarded therefrom, said four-stroke pusher comprising row enpushing position and, when disposed at said row passing position, said upper jaw is whollyabove the uppermost reach of said article on said platform and said lower jaw is wholly below said platform, said jaw and jaw support passage means enabling said lower jaw to from said one position to said another position while,

said row engaging means are disposed at said row pushing position, said row disengaging stroke being to move said row engaging means from said row pushing posigaging means for simultaneously engaging each said arriage and said row engaging means, and said means for operating said row engaging means between said row pushing position and said row passing position comprises an actuator and second linkage means, said first linkage means comprises an upper arm and a lower arm having one end of each pivotally connected to said carriage for moving the distal ends of said arms generally vertically along predetermined arcs, said arms being configured and spaced to not interfere with said advancing file regardless of the position of said carriage and regardless of where the distal ends are positioned along said predetermined arcs, said lower arm having an upwardly extending distal end portion, and said row engaging means comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw which are secured to the distal ends of said upper and lower arms respectively so that they are vertically spaced to be contiguous to top and bottom portions respectively of a side surface of each of the articles in a said row on said platform when said jaws are at said row tion to said row passing position so that said row engaging means can be returned to said one position without said row engaging means interfering with said advancing file or any said article disposed on said platform, said return stroke of said reciprocating means being to laterally return said row engaging :means to said one position, and said reset stroke being to operate said row engaging means to said row pushing position.

9. The improved case loading machine of claim 8 wherein the lateral distance between said one position and said another position is at least the cumulative width of two said rows in abutting side-by-side relation, and said pushing means further comprises a short stroke pusher which is independently and simultaneously operable with respect to said four-stroke pusher for moving a said row laterally at least the width of a said row to wholly remove a said row from said predetermined area, said short stroke pusher including a face plate for acting on other portions of said side surfaces when operated from a first position to a second position, and means for interrupting said advancing file of said articles onto said predetermined area except when said face plate is at said first position.

10. The improved case loading; machine of claim 9 wherein said short stroke pusher comprises an L-shape member comprising said face plate and a side plate, said side plate being configured and disposed to be said file interrupting means whereby the operation of both said pushers can be integrated so that a laterally extending column consisting of a predetermined number of said rows in side-by-side relation can be accumulated on said platform by operating said short stroke pusher, saidcolumn comprising a predetermined array of said rows, and said fourstroke pusher can advance said column to move a said array as a unit into said case during one said cycle of said four-stroke pusher. 

1. A case loading machine comprising: a. means for receiving a file of articles along a first path of travel and forming a row containing a fixed number of articles on a predetermined area thereof, b. articulable pushing means opeRable between a retracted position and an extended position for pushing said row of articles a predetermined distance laterally along a second path of travel as said pushing means is extended to insert at least one row of articles into a case disposed in a case loading position, said pushing means comprising oppositely disposed upper and lower operating jaws, c. means for articulating said pushing means to move each said jaws substantially vertically between a row pushing position and a row passing position independently from operating said pushing means laterally such that said pushing means does not obstruct the second path of travel while being retracted laterally while said jaws are disposed at said row passing positions, and d. means for returning said pushing means to its retracted position without interfering with forming another row of articles on said predetermined area.
 2. A case loading machine comprising: a. means for receiving a file of articles along a first path of travel and forming a row containing a fixed number of articles on a predetermined area thereof, b. means for pushing said row of articles and at least one additional previously formed row of articles laterally along a second path of travel, said last mentioned means inserting at least two rows of articles into a case disposed in a case loading position, c. means for articulating said pushing means such that it clears the second path of travel of said rows of articles, d. means for returning said pushing means to its original position without any interference to the continuous formation of a row of articles at said predetermined area, and e. a short stroke pusher for removing at least one row of articles from said predetermined area during the cycle of said pushing means.
 3. A case loading machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pushing means comprises an upper operating jaw and a lower operating jaw for engaging and pushing a plurality of rows of articles, and said articulating means is operative for moving said operating jaws out of the path of movement of said rows of articles during the return of said jaws to their original position.
 4. A case loading maching comprising: a. means for receiving a file of articles along a first path of travel and forming a row containing a fixed number of articles on a predetermined area thereof, b. means for pushing said row of articles and at least one additional previously formed row of articles laterally along a second path of travel, said pushing means inserting at least two rows of articles into a case disposed in a case loading position, said pushing means comprising a frame, an upper arm, a lower arm, an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said arms each having one end pivotally connected to said frame so that said arms extend generally horizontally and are movable so that the space intermediate their distal ends can be varied by pivoting said arms about their proximal ends, said upper jaw being secured to the distal end of said upper arm and said lower jaw being secured to the distal end of said lower arm for engaging and pushing a plurality of said rows of articles along said second path, c. means for articulating said pushing means so that said arms and said jaws clear said second path of travel of said rows of articles, said articulating means comprising a follower lever extending downwardly from said upper arm, a push lever extending upwardly from said lower arm, a push link pivotally connected intermediate the distal ends of said levers, and means for raising and lowering said lower arm, and d. means for returning said pushing means to its original position without any interference with the continuous formation of a row of articles at said predetermined area, said articulating means being operative for moving said jaws out of the path of movement of said rows of articles during the return of said jaws to their original position.
 5. A case loading machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein Said pushing means further comprises a frame and said articulating means comprises an upper arm and a lower arm, said arms each having a proximal end pivotally connected to said frame, said upper operating jaw being mounted on the distal end of said upper arm and said lower jaw being mounted on the distal end of said lower arm, and said articulating means comprises a follower lever extending downwardly from the upper arm, a push lever extending upwardly from said lower arm, a push link pivoted to said levers and means for raising and lowering said lower arm.
 6. An improved case loading machine having a frame structure, a platform mounted on said frame structure, means for causing an advancing file of articles to form a row of a predetermined plurality of the articles in abutting relation on a predetermined area of the platform, and pushing means for forwarding the row laterally from the predetermined area towards a case held in loading position relative to the platform whereby successive said rows can be advanced columnarly in side-by-side relation to fill a succession of said cases, the improvement wherein the pushing means comprises a four-stroke pusher comprising row engaging means for simultaneously engaging each said article in the row disposed on said predetermined area, means for operating said row engaging means substantially vertically between a row pushing position and a row passing position, and means for reciprocating said row engaging means laterally between one position and another position, said means for operating and said means for reciprocating being independently operable, whereby said four-stroke pusher can be operated through a cycle comprising the sequence of, a row pushing stroke to effect said forwarding of the row from said predetermined area as said row engaging means is moved laterally by said reciprocating means from said one position to said another position while said row engaging means are disposed at said row pushing position, a row disengaging stroke to move said row engaging means from said row pushing position to said row passing position so that said row engaging means can be returned to said one position without said row engaging means interfering with said advancing file or any said article disposed on said platform, a return stroke of said reciprocating means to laterally return said row engaging means to said one position, and a reset stroke to operate said row engaging means to said row pushing position whereby said file of articles can begin advancing to form a successive row of said articles on said predetermined area during said cycle of said four-stroke pusher after forwarding the preceding row therefrom.
 7. The improved case loading machine of claim 6 wherein said means for reciprocating said row engaging means laterally between said one position and said another position comprises a way secured to said frame structure, said way extending parallel to the direction of said forwarding, a carriage mounted on said way for linear motion thereon, first linkage means intermediate said carriage and said row engaging means, means for reciprocating said carriage on said way, and, said means for operating said row engaging means between said row pushing position and said row passing position comprises an actuator and second linkage means.
 8. An improved case loading machine having a frame structure, a platform mounted on said frame structure, means for causing an advancing file of articles to form a row of a predetermined plurality of the articles in abutting relation on a predetermined area of the platform, and pushing means for forwarding the row laterally from the predetermined area towards a case held in loading position relative to the platform whereby successive said rows can be advanced columnarly in side-by-side relation to fill a succession of said cases, the improvement wherein said platform includes jaw and jaw support passage means, and said pushing means comprises a fouR-stroke pusher movable through a cycle comprising the sequence of a row pushing stroke, a row disengaging stroke, a return stroke and a reset stroke whereby said file of articles can begin advancing to form a successive row of said articles on said predetermined area during said cycle of said four-stroke pusher after the preceding row is forwarded therefrom, said four-stroke pusher comprising row engaging means for simultaneously engaging each said article in the row disposed on said predetermined area, means for operating said row engaging means between a row pushing position and a row passing position, and means for reciprocating said row engaging means laterally between one position and another position, said means for reciprocating said row engaging means laterally between said one position and said another position comprises a way secured to said frame structure, said way extending parallel to the direction of said forwarding, a carriage mounted on said way for linear motion thereon, first linkage means intermediate said carriage and said row engaging means, and said means for operating said row engaging means between said row pushing position and said row passing position comprises an actuator and second linkage means, said first linkage means comprises an upper arm and a lower arm having one end of each pivotally connected to said carriage for moving the distal ends of said arms generally vertically along predetermined arcs, said arms being configured and spaced to not interfere with said advancing file regardless of the position of said carriage and regardless of where the distal ends are positioned along said predetermined arcs, said lower arm having an upwardly extending distal end portion, and said row engaging means comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw which are secured to the distal ends of said upper and lower arms respectively so that they are vertically spaced to be contiguous to top and bottom portions respectively of a side surface of each of the articles in a said row on said platform when said jaws are at said row pushing position and, when disposed at said row passing position, said upper jaw is wholly above the uppermost reach of said article on said platform and said lower jaw is wholly below said platform, said jaw and jaw support passage means enabling said lower jaw to traverse a rectangular path part of which is above said platform and part of which is below said platform whereby said lower jaw is wholly above said platform during said row pushing stroke, and is wholly below said platform during said return stroke, said row pushing stroke being to effect said forwarding of the row from said predetermined area as said row engaging means is moved laterally by said reciprocating means from said one position to said another position while said row engaging means are disposed at said row pushing position, said row disengaging stroke being to move said row engaging means from said row pushing position to said row passing position so that said row engaging means can be returned to said one position without said row engaging means interfering with said advancing file or any said article disposed on said platform, said return stroke of said reciprocating means being to laterally return said row engaging means to said one position, and said reset stroke being to operate said row engaging means to said row pushing position.
 9. The improved case loading machine of claim 8 wherein the lateral distance between said one position and said another position is at least the cumulative width of two said rows in abutting side-by-side relation, and said pushing means further comprises a short stroke pusher which is independently and simultaneously operable with respect to said four-stroke pusher for moving a said row laterally at least the width of a said row to wholly remove a said row from said predetermined area, said short stroke pusher including a face plate for acting on other portions of said side surfaces when operated from a first position to a second posItion, and means for interrupting said advancing file of said articles onto said predetermined area except when said face plate is at said first position.
 10. The improved case loading machine of claim 9 wherein said short stroke pusher comprises an L-shape member comprising said face plate and a side plate, said side plate being configured and disposed to be said file interrupting means whereby the operation of both said pushers can be integrated so that a laterally extending column consisting of a predetermined number of said rows in side-by-side relation can be accumulated on said platform by operating said short stroke pusher, said column comprising a predetermined array of said rows, and said four-stroke pusher can advance said column to move a said array as a unit into said case during one said cycle of said four-stroke pusher. 